City Council Gives Thumbs up to BAM South

Yesterday the City Council approved Two Trees’ proposal to build a 32-story building, alongside a 10,000-square-foot public plaza, at the BAM South Site. Council Member Tish James’s did not win last-minute requests for more affordable housing and higher wages, but she did reach a tentative agreement with the City not to turn the Pacific Street library branch into a private apartment building, a huge point of contention with the community. (Although, as Crain’s pointed out, “a representative for the library said that there were still no guarantees the Pacific Street branch would not be developed, though library officials would engage the city on ways a property sale could be avoided.”) The City Council ultimately approved a plan that reserves 50,000 square feet of cultural space for specific use, not for shops, apartments, or other private developments. And the community will have a say in the programming for the outdoors public plaza. The 300-unit building will include 60 affordable apartments. Two Trees needed City Council approval for a zoning change so it can build 10 more stories on the residential tower and add the community facility space.Brooklyn BAM Project Wins Approval [Crain’s]

The Brooklyn Paper. Ah ha. Take it from someone who’s been on the inside there – the editorial process sorely lacks the ring of impartiality. But hey, if that works for you, that’s cool. And this IS a free country, so of course you’re quite free to use disparaging terms to describe anyone you see fit.

i agree it would have been better if she could have secured a “guarantee” from library officials. but in the absence of that, the tentative agreement might prove interesting. sometimes, a little political pressure can mean the difference between taking the easy way out and an innovative, creative solution to a problem.

Personally, I appreciate Tish James’efforts to throw some light on this project. If any of the hate-Tish posters had attended the Council meeting on the project a couple of weeks ago, the
usual back room process of awarding rich development project would have beenpretty clear — Two Trees responded to an RFP issued by EDC about 5-6 years ago that called for a developer to build a parking garage on the site, as well as some public space. However, there was no mention in the RFP for a
residential building with cultural space. According to Jeb Walentas, Two Trees was the only responder (or essentially the only responder) to the RFP, and from that point, the Mayor’s office increased the project’s scope of work. Another EDC person admitted that EDC did not issue a new RFP to
replace the original one and that Two Trees was picked on a “sole source” basis. The also City mandated the architect that Two Trees is using. And then, of course, there is this issue of a virtual land giveaway and the housing mix.

However, since I always thought that the Two Trees train had long left the station, I’m most appreciative of the fact that the hearing provided the opportunity to again highlight widespread opposition to the associated plan to sell the Pacific Branch Library to a developer. Losing this building – and the community
library function it provides – would be yet another travesty on 4th Avenue.
As the Cranes article indicates, the PBL, while forced to publicly admit how unpopular the plan is, did not really make any concrete promises to abandon the plan. People who are interested in saving the library can go to http://www.savethepacificlibrary.org for more information and suggestions about how they can help.

The Pacific Street library is a gem. The BPL should use its capital funds to refurbish it rather than to “fit-out” new space in the Walentas Building. They own the former and will only be tenants in the latter. I don’t get their priorities. I hope a new Mayor will think more clearly and do right by the historic library building, which was the first Carnegie circulating library to open in the Boro 110 years ago.

Those who denigrate Tish James got it totally wrong. This is not surprising,since they may have been brainwashed by corporate media such as New York Post which spews its venom on any politician who may pose a threat to the 1% establishment.

Letitia James has been a rare politician, a champion of the people. She bravely stood up for residents in their fight against eminent domain takeover by developers in the Atlantic Yards case. How would you like your home to be seized by the
government under eminent domain on behalf of the private
developers? Imagine if no politician stood up for you. James BRAVELY stood up for those residents. And now, James BRAVELY stood up on the side of the people against the sell off and privitazation of precious NYC public assets, in this case, the libraries and the historic Pacific Library. These library sites are
on prime Brooklyn real estate, and they are coveted by the developers. James was about the only politician who bravely stood up against the SELL OFF of these public libraries to private developers. Because James is a politician that is not SOLD OUT to moneyed interests, that is why New York Post would single her out for attack. She fought on behalf of us, her constituents. This is democracy in action. For once, we get some democracy and the people’s voice gets heard and not just the corporations and real estate developers.

Letitia James negotiated to save the historic Pacific Library from demolition and sell off to private developers for the construction of luxury housing. She negotiated that for us, her constituents, as part of the BAM South deal. Originally, the historic Pacific Library–bequeathed to NYC by Andrew Carnegie–was slated for demolition and sell off. It was saved (for now).

Many politicians just ignored us because they did not want to cross their real estate campaign contributors, but Letitia James listened to us, and negotiated directly to address our concerns. That was impressive and extraordinary. She’s pretty independent. She seems to fight for what she thinks is right. That’s why people call her names and try to assassinate her character. She’s a rarity in the world today in which the mega-rich and the corporations control the propaganda and have captured the government.

Hmmm, not sure why you’re so personally invested in the idea that this account is managed by Tish. However, since we really have nothing to hide this is obviously an account utilized by staff. Tish doesn’t blog. Your “friend” is misinformed.

how is that going to help the rest of the New Yorkers? To cover the lost to the affordable units the developers will need to raise the price on the rest of the units. City have to give tax breaks for those developers than the rest of tax paying NYers to pick up the tab…

So nice for the Two Trees Leviathan. Let’s ask our give-away, rolling-over electeds and Bloomies whether BAM or the Public are getting anything other than a few, left over, meager bones out of this juicy, ripe real estate deal? Like a solid, lasting piece of the action? Say 10% or 20% of the tens of millions in profits. And why not? .

Leticia is an ego maniac and she appears emotionally high strung. The fact is, new people are moving in paying higher rents and the landlords are greatful for it. If people loved the old neighborhood then they invested in it. Owning your own building means you call ths shots